Johnny Paycheck's Rallying Cry

Published: 2/19/2013

Country singer Johnny Paycheck performs in April 1978. (AP Photo)

Grand Ole Opry member Johnny Paycheck was one of the great outlaw country singers of the 1970s. From his rough look to his rebel attitude, Paycheck embodied the outlaw movement - he even helped define it for those of us who weren't sure:

"To me, an outlaw is a man that did things his own way, whether you liked him or not. I did things my own way."

Paycheck had a long string of country hits, but none inspired fans quite like his 1977 ode to unemployment, "Take This Job and Shove It." The song rocketed to No. 1 and became a long-lasting rallying cry for anyone feeling overworked and undervalued.